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Russell Brand pleaded with fans to give him money and support his Rumble channel as he returned to his live online show following a week of sexual assault allegations. <\/p>\n
The comedian, 48, went live on the platform after YouTube demonetised his content amid his scandal. <\/p>\n
Speaking to over 70,000 viewers on Rumble on Monday night, Brand hit out at the \u2018war against free speech\u2019, sticking to his word after promising a comeback last Friday.<\/p>\n
He also urged them to subscribe to his channel, which costs $60 (\u00a349) annually. <\/p>\n
\u2018If you\u2019re watching this on YouTube or anywhere else, eventually you\u2019re going to have to click the link in the description and join us over on Rumble and if you can become a supporter, it\u2019s the only way that you can back our independent voice at a time when it\u2019s obviously being challenged.\u2019 <\/p>\n
He added in another part of the stream: \u2018You now know that I have been demonetised on YouTube\u2026 fully well aware that the government wrote to social media platforms to demand that I be further censored.\u2019 <\/p>\n
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It\u2019s believed Brand was referring to a letter written by Dame Caroline Dinenage who called on Rumble to cut off the comedian\u2019s revenue like YouTube.<\/p>\n
However, the platform stood by him with boss Chris Pavlovski saying in a statement: \u2018Although it may be politically and socially easier for Rumble to join a cancel culture mob, doing so would be a violation of our company\u2019s values and mission. <\/p>\n
\u2018We emphatically reject the UK parliament\u2019s demands.\u2019 <\/p>\n
Brand has been accused of rape, sexual assault, and controlling behaviour by several women at the height of his fame, with investigations now launched by the BBC, Channel 4, and now the Metropolitan Police force. <\/p>\n
As more women have come forward over recent days, Brand has denied the accusations against him, stating that while he was one \u2018promiscuous\u2019, any sexual encounters were \u2018always consensual\u2019.<\/p>\n
Elsewhere in his video on Monday, Brand said referencing his own headlines: \u2018The global media war against free speech is in full swing, how do I know? Take a guess\u2026\u2019 <\/p>\n
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\u2018Today, of course, we\u2019re talking about events of the last week but, in particular, the collusion between big tech and government and an apparent concerted effort by legacy media and now the state and big tech to silent independent media voices.<\/p>\n
\u2018Obviously, it\u2019s difficult for me to be entirely objective given the events of the past week but that\u2019s what we\u2019ll try to do.\u2019<\/p>\n
Also in his rambling, the controversial podcaster accused the the British government of demanding that big technology platforms censor his online content.<\/p>\n
He went on to blast his former employer, the\u00a0BBC,\u00a0for its \u2018trust news initiative\u2019 that tackles fake news.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Brand proceeded to ask his viewers to donate, with subscribers paying\u00a0a minimum of $60 (\u00a348) a year to subscribe to Rumble, with creators profiting from donations.<\/p>\n
His live-stream began just moments after the Met announced the launch of an investigation into allegations of past sexual offences in London and other areas.<\/p>\n
These offences are all non-recent.<\/p>\n
Officers will be offering specialist support to all of the women who have made allegations.<\/p>\n
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The investigation is being carried out by detectives in the Met\u2019s Central Specialist Crime Command, led by Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy.<\/p>\n
Supt Furphy said: \u2018We continue to encourage anyone who believes they may have been a victim of a sexual offence, no matter how long ago it was, to contact us.<\/p>\n
\u2018We understand it can feel like a difficult step to take and I want to reassure that we have a team of specialist officers available to advise and support.\u2019<\/p>\n
There have been no arrests and enquiries continue.<\/p>\n
His most recent address before the live show saw Brand thank his community for their \u2018support\u2019<\/p>\n
Taking to social media over the weekend\u00a0to break his silence\u00a0after lying low, the St Trinians actor said the week since the claims were published had been \u2018extraordinary\u2019 and \u2018distressing\u2019.<\/p>\n
Brand added that he never imagined that he would need his followers\u2019 support as much as he does now.<\/p>\n